The water scarcity this year has forced the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada to issue an order making rainwater harvesting compulsory for commercial and industrial buildings in the district.
The order issued on May 23 also states that any type of building above 2,000 sq. ft. of built-up area should also go for rainwater harvesting compulsorily.
All borewells, whether public or private, should have rainwater harvesting systems, it said. The order said that local bodies while issuing building licences should impose a condition to harvest rainwater.
While issuing completion certificates, it should ensure that the condition was adhered to.
The order said that the local bodies should ensure that the existing buildings went for rainwater harvesting in phases. Its owners should be given sufficient time to adopt rainwater harvesting methods.
Water tabele depletion
It said that water table in Dakshina Kannada depleted from 12.66 metres in April, 2015, to 12.37 metres in April, 2016. The soil condition in Dakshina Kannada was such that it was highly porous as well has highly permeable.
The soil requires high water content during monsoon. Post-monsoon rains (between September-December) could be harvested to store water and re-charge ground water.
